Introduction
As we all know the current COVID-19 situation has forced majority of the organizations to let their workforce Work from home.
In an era defined by the unexpected shift towards remote work, the concept of 'Work from Home' (WFH) has transitioned from being an exception to becoming the norm. While this paradigm shift offers multiple benefits such as increased flexibility and reduced commuting time, it also surfaces a plethora of challenges. This article aims to shed light on the top ten risks associated with WFH, offering a comprehensive understanding to equip and empower remote workers.
Organizations have taken this decision as it was imminent and a larger risk to the employees potentially getting affected with this pandemic if they continued to work from office.
“Have you performed a Risk Analysis due to this new normal situation of the workforce working from home ?"
While many organizations have a Risk Management team and many security controls to reduce the impact of any potential risk, this new normal mode of working due to the current Corona Virus (COVID-19) has mandated the organization security teams to perform an on demand risk assessment and come up with the incremental risk this new situation has added and /or the new risks that have currently put the organization business and operations vulnerable.
Top 10 Work from home (WFH) Risks
Home WiFi Security, Insecure Passwords (Most of the home WiFi systems are shared with family and more are less the passwords are never changed and in many instances this will be the default factory set passwords)
Data loss prevention, DLP implementation (The end point devices, laptops must have some protection and implementation of this control)
Phishing and email Scams (Devices at home when accessed by everyone on the same Wifi network are exposed to vulnerabilities like Phishing scams etc. any one using this device can open these scam links/emails and the entire device can get into a compromising situation due this phishing attack)
Physical location and potential damage of WFH end Point devices (not everyone's home work desk is secured and protected by Physical security or potential physical damage)
Disk encryption for all endpoints (this is must, since in case of a theft or loss the data is still safe - this is related to point 2 above). Usage of removable media must be restricted.
End Point Patching and security updates (when the employees work from office and are in office network security updates and anti virus patches are taken care seamlessly. But when you are constantly working from home and most of the time you are connected to customer networks in a secured VPN connection you may be left with out of date software and system updates.
Usage of personal cloud storage - employees knowing or unknowingly end up uploading critical files, software source code, documents etc. in publicly available or free online cloud based document or file storage sites. This is a risk and must be avoided
Sharing of End point devices with others in the family - in many cases and in our observation the same end point device that we use for office work will also be used for personal browsing, online shopping, watching movies and also letting others attend their online office meetings, student classes etc. These actions will potentially make this end point device more vulnerable.
Unauthorized usage of tools and software - Many software developers and / or employees working from home have admin privileges with their login ID and they can install any software on their device without having a need for any any special authorization or permission that is needed. This leads to not only potential malware affecting these end point computer devices but also can lead to software licensing issues.
Not having the ability to gather logs and important events - for many organizations and their security teams having the ability to centrally collect, monitor and analyze the logs is an important and basic requirement. With end point devices on different WiFi systems and routers this will lead to potential risk including when we have to perform incident tracking and analysis.
Other aspects to watch out for for WFH Risks
I. Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities
Working outside the secured confines of an office environment exposes employees to increased cybersecurity risks. These include phishing attacks, insecure personal Wi-Fi networks, and the potential misuse of sensitive data.
II. Mental Health Concerns
The blurring lines between personal and professional life can lead to mental health issues like stress, anxiety, and burnout. The isolation imposed by remote work can exacerbate these concerns, affecting employees' wellbeing.
III. Communication Breakdown
With the lack of face-to-face interactions, miscommunication becomes a heightened risk. The reliance on digital communication tools can often lead to misunderstandings, impacting team coordination and project outcomes.
IV. Reduced Productivity
Distractions at home, lack of dedicated workspace, or even the psychological impact of isolation can hamper productivity. Finding a healthy work rhythm can be challenging in a home environment.
V. Lack of Work-Life Balance
The absence of a clear demarcation between work hours and personal time can lead to overworking, resulting in an imbalance that negatively impacts both work output and personal life.
VI. Technological Challenges
Not everyone has access to high-speed internet or a dedicated workspace equipped with the necessary technological tools. This digital divide can significantly impact work efficiency and output.
VII. Physical Health Risks
Extended hours of sitting, lack of physical activity, and poor ergonomic setups at home can lead to various physical health issues, including back pain, eye strain, and other sedentary lifestyle-related conditions.
VIII. Diminished Learning Opportunities
In a remote work environment, opportunities for spontaneous learning and organic knowledge sharing, typically afforded by physical workspaces, are significantly reduced.
IX. Performance Management
Monitoring and assessing employee performance becomes challenging in a remote setup. Traditional performance metrics may not apply, potentially affecting appraisals and advancement opportunities.
X. Data Privacy Risks
Employees often handle sensitive information outside the secure office network, thereby increasing the risk of data breaches and non-compliance with data protection regulations.
Potential Solutions and alternate ways of working
The Hybrid Work Model: A Blend of Risks and Opportunities
A hybrid work model, a structure that combines aspects of both on-site and remote work, has emerged as a promising solution to the limitations of fully remote or fully on-site setups. However, this model brings with it a unique set of risks and challenges, which we need to comprehend to capitalize on its potential benefits effectively.
In a hybrid work model, an employee's location can dynamically shift between the home, the office, or elsewhere. While this offers a high level of flexibility, it also introduces a degree of complexity to the work dynamics that can lead to risks below in addition to the above mentioned Top 10 Work from home (WFH) Risks:
Communication consistency: One of the significant challenges of a hybrid model is maintaining seamless communication. When teams are split across different locations and possibly time zones, ensuring everyone is on the same page becomes inherently more complex. The risk of communication gaps and potential misunderstandings escalates, demanding robust and efficient communication practices.
Inequity among employees: In a hybrid model, there's a risk of creating a divide between those who work remotely and those who work on-site. Remote employees may feel isolated or excluded from impromptu meetings or brainstorming sessions happening in the office. Similarly, those in the office may feel they are bearing a more significant burden of daily tasks. It's crucial to ensure equitable treatment and inclusive practices for all employees, regardless of their location.
Maintaining corporate culture: The hybrid model can pose a challenge to maintaining a unified corporate culture. With less face-to-face interaction and more reliance on digital means of engagement, creating a shared sense of purpose and fostering a sense of belonging can be challenging.
Cybersecurity concerns: As work extends to homes or third-party locations, managing the security of data becomes more complex. Businesses must ensure that employees have secure access to systems and data, regardless of where they are working.
Mitigating these risks necessitates proactive planning, implementation of robust policies, and frequent review of strategies to align with the evolving work patterns. The hybrid model is a new frontier in the realm of work, and navigating it successfully requires a blend of flexibility, adaptability, and technological preparedness.
Conclusion
Understanding these risks associated with WFH is the first step towards addressing them. As remote work continues to define our professional lives, it's crucial to mitigate these challenges to build resilient, efficient, and mentally healthy remote workforces. In subsequent articles, we will delve into strategies to manage and overcome these risks effectively.
Call to Action
Have you faced any of these risks while working from home? How did you overcome them? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below, and let's learn together to navigate the new norm of remote work more effectively.